Category: housing

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Health and Politics – Government Acknowledges Aged Care Pressures But Families and Carers Still Carrying the Load

Source: Aged Care Association

The Aged Care Association says today’s Government response to the Health Committee inquiry into aged care capacity recognises serious system pressures but leaves families and informal carers continuing to shoulder the consequences.
The inquiry examined how well the aged care sector can support people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders, including dementia. While the Government has welcomed the report and referred its recommendations to the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group for further consideration, no immediate actions or support measures were announced.
Association Chief Executive Tracey Martin says that delay has real-world impacts beyond providers, it lands hardest on families.
“Behind every delayed reform is a daughter reducing her work hours, a spouse managing complex care alone, or a family struggling to find a bed close to home. When the system strains, families absorb the pressure.”
Inquiry Highlighted Growing Strain on Families
The Health Committee heard extensive evidence about:
  • Limited availability of aged residential care beds
  • Financial barriers to accessing care
  • Workforce shortages affecting service quality and continuity
  • Inconsistent access to home and community support
  • The particular challenges of dementia care
These pressures often leave families filling gaps in care, navigating fragmented services, and carrying emotional, physical, and financial burdens.
“Families are becoming the default providers of care when services are stretched. That is not sustainable and it is not fair.”
Respite and Support Still Uncertain
While the Committee recommended establishing regular respite care programmes to support carers, the Government response points only to ongoing strategy work, with no new funding or delivery commitments.
“Respite is not a luxury – it is what keeps carers healthy enough to continue caring. Without reliable respite, burnout is inevitable.”
Delays in Funding Reform Flow Through to Households
The Government confirmed that aged care funding reform will be considered as part of a broader review process reporting back in 2026.
Until then:
  • Bed shortages persist
  • Dementia services remain financially constrained
  • Providers struggle to expand capacity
  • Access delays push care responsibilities back onto families
“When funding models don’t reflect the real cost of care, services can’t expand. When services can’t expand, families wait longer or cope alone.”
Home Care Progress Welcome But Gaps Remain
The Association acknowledged positive signals around:
  • More flexible home and community care services
  • Moves toward nationally consistent funding
  • Longer-term provider contracts
However, implementation timelines remain unclear.
“Supporting people to remain in the communities they know and love is the right goal. But families need to see changes on the ground, not just policy workstreams.”
A Human Issue, Not Just a System Issue
New Zealand’s ageing population means more families will face complex care decisions in the coming years.
“Aged care is not an abstract policy area. It determines whether older people can live with dignity, and whether families can remain families – rather than becoming exhausted, unsupported care coordinators.”
Call for Urgency
The Advisory Group is expected to report by mid-2026.
“We respect the need for careful policy design, but the lived reality is urgent. Families and carers need practical support now – clearer pathways, available beds, sustainable services, and meaningful respite.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/health-and-politics-government-acknowledges-aged-care-pressures-but-families-and-carers-still-carrying-the-load/

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Alleged burglars head to court

Source: New Zealand Police

A late-night burglary attempt in Henderson on Wednesday ended with two men facing court after being caught by Police.

Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says around 2.15am Police were called to Central Park Drive following reports people had been seen unlawfully inside a building.

“These two alleged offenders were seen on CCTV loading their vehicle with metal items from inside the warehouse,” he says.

“When alerted that Police were on the way they jumped into their vehicle and sped off down the road and into a long driveway.”

Police helicopter Eagle was first on the scene and saw the alleged offenders drive though a locked gate to avoid being caught.

“As the vehicle has left this area Eagle noticed one of the alleged offenders had been left behind,” Acting Inspector Salter says.

“The vehicle then accelerated away towards Te Atatū.”

Police units quickly located the vehicle and signalled for it to stop.

“The alleged offender failed to pull over and continued driving on Edmonton Road,” Acting Inspector Salter says.

“A short time later he has pulled into an address on Vera Road, where he has exited the vehicle and run into the backyard of the property.”

Police were right on the alleged offender’s tail and took him into custody without issue.

“Officers located a large amount of metal items in the vehicle that had come from the warehouse on Central Park Drive,” Acting Inspector Salter says.

“Delta units located the second offender hiding at the site he was seen being dropped off at earlier.”

Acting Inspector Salter says this was a great result for Police, apprehending the alleged offenders and potentially preventing further burglaries from occurring.

“We will continue to send the message that this type of offending is not acceptable,” he says.

“These two men will now have to answer for their actions in court.”

A 38-year-old man will appear in the Waitākere District Court today charged with burglary by night, behaving threateningly and failing to stop.

A 42-year-old man will also appear in the Waitākere District Court today charged with burglary by night and behaving threateningly.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/alleged-burglars-head-to-court/

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Another Housing Development Approved

Source: New Zealand Government

One of Auckland’s largest new housing developments, the Sunfield Masterplanned Community has been approved through Fast-track says Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.  

Winton Land Limited submitted its application on 3 April 2025 to develop the ‘Masterplanned’ community to provide around 3,854 new homes, a 7.5‑hectare town centre, retail and healthcare services, three retirement villages, and extensive parks, reserves and green links.

“The Sunfield development is projected to be deliver up to $3.2 billion to the economy, support approximately 24,700 jobs during the 10–15‑year build‑out period, and around 9,800 permanent jobs once the community is fully established.” Mr Jones says.

Approval for this project has taken 10 months following the commencement of the expert panel process which included approximately four months of suspension.

“Applicants can request a suspension from the expert panel to do things such as collate information required for the panel’s process, this demonstrates the flexibility built into the Fast-track system.” Mr Jones says.  

Concerns were raised about whether existing infrastructure like roads, water supply and sewage systems would be able to support the new homes this project would deliver. The expert panel found those concerns could be addressed through development design and by meeting the conditions of consent. 

“These conditions ensure that growth pays for growth by ensuring the future development pays for its own infrastructure needs,” Mr Jones says. 

“This is a major win for housing supply, jobs and growth in Auckland. Fast-track is doing exactly what it was set up to do, getting big projects moving sooner.” Mr Jones says.

This is the seventh housing project to be approved through Fast‑track and the fourth approval in the Auckland region.

Notes to editor:

For more information about the project: Sunfield

Fast-track by the numbers:

  • 12 projects approved by expert panels.
  • 19 projects with expert panels appointed.
  • 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
  • 47 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
  • 32 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
  • On average, it has taken 128 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:

  • Sunfield [Housing/Land]
  • Arataki [Housing/Land]
  • Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
  • Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
  • Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
  • Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
  • Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
  • Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
  • Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
  • Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
  • Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
  • Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]

Expert panels have been appointed for:

  • Ashbourne
  • Ayrburn Screen Hub
  • Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
  • Green Steel
  • Haldon Solar Farm
  • Hananui Aquaculture Project
  • Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
  • Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works
  • Mahinerangi Wind Farm
  • Pound Road Industrial Development
  • Ryans Road Industrial Development
  • Southland Wind Farm Project
  • Stella Passage Development
  • Takitimu North Link – Stage 2
  • The Point Mission Bay
  • The Point Solar Farm
  • Waitaha Hydro
  • Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project
  • Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/another-housing-development-approved/

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Northland rough sleepers face more than 800 day wait for home through Housing First

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rough sleepers in New Plymouth, in Northland rough sleepers are typically waiting for more than 800 days for a home through Housing First. RNZ / Robin Martin

In Northland, rough sleepers typically wait more than 800 days for a home through the Housing First. The nationwide programme helps chronically homeless people into housing. It’s effective, and successive governments of both stripes support it. But a Northland provider says “horrendous” wait times are driven by a lack of funding, and a lack of homes. Lauren Crimp reports.

Casey Tangira, her husband, four kids and niece spent four months living in a car in 2024.

They had been in the same rental in the Northland town of Opua for eight years – but their landlord needed the house back, and they had nowhere else to go.

They parked up at a local rugby clubrooms, and showered at a freedom camping facility nearby.

But winter hit, and it got too cold, so they sought shelter with their in-laws.

Ten people crammed into a two-bedroom converted shed in Northland, sleeping on couches and mattresses on the floor.

“It was hectic, very stressful, just on edge all the time,” Tangira said.

Finally, after just over a year registered with Housing First through Ngāti Hine Health Trust, they were placed into a home near Moerewa, in the trust’s housing development.

“Were just so over the moon, that we could have a house of our own … and we could just be settled.”

The kids were not themselves when they were homeless, Tangira said. In their new home, they have their sparkle back.

“Just seeing my children waking up every morning and smiling and having their own beds… it’s my kids that I worry about the most,” she said.

“We’re just so grateful to Ngāti Hine every day.”

Northland, Bay of Plenty rough sleepers face longest wait

Tangira’s story is not unusual in Northland. In fact, a year-long wait is shorter than what’s typical: 826 days, from being accepted into Housing First, to being housed.

Bay of Plenty has the next longest median wait time of 566 days.

In other regions it’s between 100 and 300 days, aside from Waikato, where it’s 70 days.

The housing ministry allocates Housing First “places” – that is, funding for a person to be housed – to providers like Ngāti Hine Health Trust, who find homes for rough sleepers, often leasing them through the private market.

The ministry said at the end of January there were 3613 households in the programme, of which 2596 had been housed.

That leaves more than 1000 people who have sought help – and been told they could get it – still waiting.

Ngāti Hine Health Trust chief executive Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti said its allocation of 60 places is full, and up to 100 people are on the wait-list.

Single men, often just released from prison, usually wait the longest, he said.

That’s because “in these constrained times” the Trust is forced to make tough choices, and prioritise.

“You have to draw a line about what you find unacceptable. And for us, that’s families in cars,” Shepherd-Wipiiti said.

“We won’t have families in cars.”

He said the problem was twofold: housing supply, and funding.

In Moerewa and Kawakawa, there aren’t enough homes to lease from the private market, so Ngāti Hine is building some.

In Whangārei, the Trust could house 10 whānau immediately – if it had sufficient Housing First places, Shepherd-Wipiiti said.

He’s asked the housing ministry to consider upping its allocation.

The government funded an extra 300 Housing First places last year for Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti wants the government to think smarter about the distribution.

“It was a bit sad to hear that some providers aren’t actually reaching their cap because, if we run this sort of as a national network, we could easily fill that gap for people who are actually struggling to fill their cap,” he said.

However, the shortage isn’t just felt in Northland – Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson has said her city alone needed 1000 more places.

A South Auckland house which has been allocated under the Housing First programme which places chronically homeless people into permanent housing. RNZ / Eva Corlett

National, Labour won’t commit to more funding

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said since September nearly 500 rough sleepers had been housed through Housing First, and the government was spending “hundreds of millions, billions of dollars into supporting people who have been doing it tough in this space”.

He said households and providers must navigate “challenging social circumstances and local housing market conditions” to secure appropriate housing.

RNZ asked whether an 800-day wait time was acceptable.

“I don’t think anyone is happy to see people doing it tough on the street or living in a rough space,” Potaka said.

“No one wants to see Kiwis living under a bush, in a car, in a cowshed.

“And that’s why we’ve been really clear, we want the funds that we have applied to this space to be used efficiently and effectively.”

Labour’s housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said the need for Housing First jumped after the [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/525607/government-was-warned-emergency-housing-crackdown-could-increase-homelessness

government made it tougher to access emergency housing] nearly two years ago.

“When you consider that they’ve saved a billion dollars by keeping people on the street … the amount that they’ve put into Housing First is an absolute fraction of that,” he said.

“It is a drop of water into an empty bucket.”

But he would not commit a potential Labour government to boosting Housing First support.

McAnulty said that call would be made after it considered this year’s budget, so it knows what money it had to work with.

While politicians battle over budgets, Casey Tangira thinks about other vulnerable people in her community, who she noticed when she was living in her car.

“Down the park and behind the library and that there was a lot of other homeless people too,” she said.

“I just want to bring them all home.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/northland-rough-sleepers-face-more-than-800-day-wait-for-home-through-housing-first/

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Black Caps World Cup octet in, eight more out for South Africa series

Source: Radio New Zealand

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram (L) and David Miller (R) with New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson at the T20 World Cup. AFP

After nearly three months in the subcontinent, the Black Caps are finally headed home, albeit without the trophy they wanted, and staring down one last challenge before they part ways.

A five-match T20 series against South Africa, starting on Sunday, will cap off the home summer.

The series comes less than a week after the T20 World Cup final loss against India in India. And two months after their first ever one-day series win in India.

The cricket calendar can be relentless and Black Caps coach Rob Walter had that in mind when the team for the South Africa series, which begins in Mt Maunganui, was selected.

Eight players from the World Cup squad – captain Mitch Santner, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi – will play at least some part in the series.

“Primarily, we want to find a nice balance now between giving guys off, it was a pretty intense nine weeks to be fair in India and Sri Lanka, and obviously stepping straight into a five-match series in a couple of days’ time,” Walter said.

“So, sort of managing the guys who are going to PSL (Pakistan Super League), going to IPL (Indian Premier League), with guys who didn’t have much game time in the actual World Cup itself and working hard to get that balance right.

“That’s the nature of the beast right now in international cricket and understanding we also have to take care of our players

“Those guys left everything out there from a World Cup point of view.”

Walter said he was in “constant communication” with the playing group to gauge their readiness to continue into another series.

“You still need to be in a mental space to put your best foot forward for your country when you’re competing.

“But we have a fairly decent showing of our World Cup squad in the series, which is great, and there’s a lot of keenness from the players’ point of view to actually play, which is awesome, given that it’s been a pretty hectic little while.”

Ishan Kishan of India celebrates his fifty runs ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Grand Final. www.photosport.nz

Selector Gavin Larsen said they had to be “pragmatic” in selecting the squad.

“We’re lucky to have strong depth across the different skill sets, which has afforded us the opportunity to rest a few players and introduce some others,” Larsen said.

“That provides an excellent opportunity for many to stake their claim for regular inclusion in the T20 team moving forward as we begin a new World Cup cycle.

“It’s been a busy couple of months for those on the road and with the South Africa series ahead, a tour to Bangladesh in April-May during the IPL and PSL windows, alongside a New Zealand A tour to Sri Lanka and followed by winter tours to England and West Indies – keeping our players fit and fresh in the short and the long term is our top priority.”

Those who would be taking a break after the World Cup to manage workloads or family life were: Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert and Matt Henry.

Top order batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly are in line to make their T20 debuts during the series, as is Central Districts spinner Jayden Lennox.

Clarke’s maiden Black Caps call-up follows a break-out Super Smash season where the 26-year-old topped the competition run-scoring charts with 431 runs, including an unbeaten century, as his Northern Brave side claimed the T20 domestic title.

Katene Clarke of the Northern Brave. Photosport

“Katene is someone we’ve been keeping an eye on for a while now and so it was great to see him shoot the lights out in the Super Smash and force his way into his first Black Caps squad,” Larsen said.

“He’s an explosive player who possesses plenty of power and a variety of shots. He’s shown destructive ability inside the power play, but also crucially the ability to bat deep in an innings too.”

Lennox’s first inclusion in a Black Caps T20 squad follows his successful ODI debut series against India in January where he claimed 3-84 from his 20 overs against the formidable home batting line-up.

Kelly’s been a consistent performer for the Wellington Firebirds across the formats in recent years and earns his maiden T20 call-up off the back of his ODI debut series against Pakistan at home last April.

Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson get their chance to impress after being selected for the full five-game series, with Clarkson back in the side for the first time since playing eight T20Is in 2024.

Tom Latham, who was the top run-scorer for the Canterbury Kings in the Super Smash, makes his return to the national T20 set-up as a wicket-keeper-batsman and will also take over the captaincy reigns from Santner for the final two matches.

With Conway departing after three matches, Central Stags gloveman Dane Cleaver will join the squad for the end of the series, having last played for New Zealand in 2023.

South Africa arrived in New Zealand with three players from their World Cup squad that was knocked out of the tournament by the Black Caps.

None of their players with IPL contracts will travel to Aotearoa.

Walter, a former South Africa coach, knows the Proteas team that does come will still provide a challenge.

“The depth in South Africa has always been strong. Obviously, the SA20 competition has developed a lot of younger players in South Africa, so from that point of view, they have a pretty good team,” Walter said.

“Most of them have played international cricket, or have done very well domestically so it’ll be a good challenge.”

Black Caps T20 squad v South Africa

  • Mitchell Santner (c) (matches 1-3)
  • Katene Clarke* (4-5)
  • Josh Clarkson
  • Dane Cleaver (wk) (4-5)
  • Devon Conway (wk) (1-3)
  • Lockie Ferguson (2-3)
  • Zak Foulkes
  • Bevon Jacobs
  • Kyle Jamieson
  • Nick Kelly*
  • Tom Latham (wk) (c – 4-5)
  • Jayden Lennox* (4-5)
  • Cole McConchie
  • Jimmy Neesham
  • Tim Robinson
  • Ben Sears
  • Nathan Smith
  • Ish Sodhi

*Potential T20I debut

Michael Bracewell (calf), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back) and Blair Tickner (ankle) were not considered for the series due to injury.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/black-caps-world-cup-octet-in-eight-more-out-for-south-africa-series/

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The world is eating our lunch: How our apples, seafood and avocados make millions

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Five years after Who’s Eating NZ, this series revisits where our food goes – but this time through the lens of Kiwi breakfast, lunch and dinner staples. We track how much of what we produce is eaten here, and who has a seat at our global table during meal times. Today, it’s lunch time.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon memorably advised parents unhappy with supplied school lunches to “make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag”.

New Zealand certainly does enjoy an abundance of apples.

We grow so many that almost nine out of 10 are sold overseas, fresh and processed.

The bumper crop is no accident. There has been a concerted push to grow the apple export industry with the development and marketing of new varieties. Royal gala and Braeburn apples have been joined by Jazz, Envy and Rockit.

Back in 2012, the industry set a goal of reaching $1 billion in exports by 2022. At that time, exports were sitting at $340 million. The target was missed in 2022, but exceeded in 2025 when exports of $1.26b were achieved.

New challenges come with that success though. Horticulture company T&G won a court order in China, forcing orchards in China to rip out illegally grown knock-offs of its Envy variety.

China clearly has developed a taste for our apples – it was our biggest apple buyer in 2025, followed by Taiwan, Vietnam and India.

For local apple buyers, prices fluctuate through the year, with the highest prices occurring in January. In 2007, 1kg of apples cost $3.89. In January 2025 a kilogram of apples cost $6.15.

The humble avocado might be one of the most controversial foods around. Along with being blamed for creating a generation of renters, its notoriously slippery stone has meant millions in ACC payouts for ‘avocado hand’ injuries, and telling someone they “have the avocados” can spark a language debate.

As well as being keen consumers, New Zealand makes a solid contribution to the global supply of avocados. More than 4700 hectares of the country is planted in avocados, with most concentrated in the Far North and Bay of Plenty.

About 50 percent of what was grown locally last year remained in the country, the rest heading offshore.

Australia is the biggest buyer, purchasing about a third of our exports in 2025, down from a peak of 90 percent in 2020. Far smaller quantities are bought by South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Export earnings have fallen from a 2020 high of $177m to $102m, as New Zealand competes with other global growers, such as Peru, which had a bumper crop in 2025.

New Zealand Avocado chief executive Brad Siebert said countries such as Mexico, Peru, Columbia and South Africa are producing more avocados, which leads to volatile prices. Demand globally is increasing, but at a slow, sometimes uneven pace.

Domestic prices rise and fall annually, often peaking in May. The highest price per kg of $28.67 was in May 2019.

Seafood might be hard to miss in an office lunchroom, but in the data it disappears. It is incredibly hard to put a figure on how much commercially caught seafood ends up in our lunchboxes compared to what’s exported.

The industry body Seafood NZ said there’s been no need to collect domestic information and this position hasn’t changed since RNZ examined seafood exports in 2020.

It is possible to take some stabs at the number. Previously published figures include 90 percent, 77 percent, and numbers previously on Seafood New Zealand’s website say approximately 450,000 tonnes of seafood is caught each year, with 276,901 tonnes exported.

This comes out at about 63 percent – but working on caught weight versus exported weight is not accurate. Fish is gutted and often filleted before export, so it is impossible to match the caught weight up with export data. Sanford’s 2025 annual report says about 82 percent of its sale value is from exports.

Where our seafood goes has shifted over time. In the 1990s, Japan, Australia and the United States were the biggest buyers of our seafood, but by 2011 China emerged as the top buyer. Its spending peaked in 2022 at $709m but by 2025 dropped to $594m.

Seafood exports earned $2b in 2024 and 2025. The biggest single export earner was live rock lobster – China bought $290m worth of them.

Crayfish might not be on everyone’s lunch menu, but rock lobster has been New Zealand seafood’s biggest export earner since 2017 with around 2500 tonnes exported each year, earning between $266m and $392m. Export volumes hit a record 2700 tonnes in 2025.

The demand has put pressure on crayfish populations. In December it was announced that commercial and recreational fishing for rock lobster will be banned from April 2026 off Northland’s east coast in an effort to halt the species rapid decline in the area.

Despite high-profile controversy about global beverage giants bottling our water, exported New Zealand water actually represents a small proportion compared to what’s sold locally.

An exact figure for local sales is hard to come by, but 2018 information published on the Ministry for the Environment’s website suggests only 17 percent is exported.

Bottling companies pay resource consent fees, but do not pay for the water itself. This can mean they pay less for water than residential rate payers.

In 2020 China was the biggest buyer, but since 2022 the US has taken top position.

Despite abundant water here, Kiwis still pay for water from other countries. In 2025 more than 3 million litres was imported, including 1m litres from Italy and nearly 300,000 litres from Fiji.

Stay tuned for Friday’s story, where we take a look at who we’re sharing our dinner with and dive into beef, sheep, onion and wine exports.

Where the data came from

Apples: New Zealand Apple and Pears and StatsNZ trade data items with a harmonised system description containing “Fruit, edible; apples”.

Avocados: New Zealand Avocado and StatsNZ trade data items with a harmonised system description containing “Fruit, edible; avocados, fresh”.

Seafood: Various sources and StatsNZ trade data for items with a harmonised system code between 301910000 to 308909000.

Water: Ministry for the Environment and StatsNZ trade data items with the following harmonised system descriptions: “Waters; mineral and aerated, including natural or artificial, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), other than in metal containers”, Waters; other than mineral and aerated, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), ice and snow, other than in metal containers” , “Waters; mineral and aerated, including natural or artificial, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), in metal containers”, “Waters; other than mineral and aerated, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), ice and snow, in metal aerosol containers, not containing chlorofluorocarbons” , “Waters; other than mineral and aerated, (not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured), ice and snow, in metal containers, not aerosol”

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/the-world-is-eating-our-lunch-how-our-apples-seafood-and-avocados-make-millions/

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‘A little short of a disaster’: Little Penguins mauled by dogs at Piha

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland Council says dog owners must be aware of the rules and read the signs at West Coast beaches to keep Kororā safe. RNZ/Jessica Hopkins

Lying on the rocks and left to die, with puncture wounds, exposed bones, and sometimes missing limbs.

According to conservationists, that is the state Little Penguins/Kororā are being found in on coastlines around the country, and irresponsible dog owners are to blame.

Auckland’s West Coast beaches were a particularly egregious hotspot for dog attacks on penguins.

Peter Hosking from Pest Free Piha said that earlier this year, five Piha penguins were killed by a dog in just one night.

“It was a shock. We only have a handful of birds nesting here. And to lose five in one night was a little short of a disaster,” Hosking said.

“It’s hard to say exactly how many [Kororā] there are at Piha, but it’s fewer than 15, so to lose five in one night is a big loss to the penguin community here.”

From late summer to autumn, penguins shed their old feathers to grow new ones, and they cannot return to sea during that time. It was then that most dog attacks happened.

Hosking said 13 adult Kororā had died at Piha this moulting season, nine of which were confirmed to have been attacked by dogs after post-mortem examination.

At North Piha, dogs were allowed to be off-leash. But Hosking said owners were letting their dogs run free in areas where they should not be, close to penguin habitats.

Auckland Council appointed a dog control ranger just for Auckland’s West Coast four years ago to enforce the rules.

But Hosking said it did not matter that people were compliant during the day if others allowed their dogs out at night, when penguins went wandering.

“Some of the attacks here have occurred at night, which is an indication that people are not keeping their dogs under control at that time. And of course, at night, it is less likely there will be dog patrols or people around to do anything about a dog that’s out of control,” he said.

“It’s pretty clear that it is dog owners, probably in North Piha, who allow their dogs to be out outdoors and off-leash at night, so we’re trying to educate all dog owners, but especially those people that they need to have their dogs under control at all times and at night in a kennel or inside their properties.”

Auckland Council says dog owners must be aware of the rules and read the signs at West Coast beaches to keep Kororā safe. RNZ/Jessica Hopkins

Dr Rashi Parker, from BirdCare Aotearoa, which treats sick or injured native birds, said two of the Kororā brought to them this moulting season were confirmed to have been attacked by dogs.

She said one was recently attacked at Anawhata, a West Coast beach where dogs are prohibited.

“There’s a continued concern from community groups involved with conservation initiatives along the West Coast that there are off-leash dog incidents often involving locals themselves. It’s not visitors coming into the area, it’s locals doing this.”

BirdCare had cared for five penguins confirmed to have been attacked by dogs in the past five years.

But BirdCare rehabilitation assistant Catriona Robersto suspected that 18 of the injured penguins brought to them this moulting season could also have been injured by dogs.

She warned that even small dogs could cause significant and often fatal injuries.

“Most people with a puppy at home will love to play tug of war with them, and it’s really cute in the setting of the home. But out in the world, they’re inherently going to pick up something that is, let’s face it, shaped like a cuddly toy, grab it and shake it. And we often see the sort of ragdoll injury in penguins that come into us,” Robersto said.

“Recently, we had a penguin that ended up with really bad neck torsion to the point where it couldn’t move normally at all because its neck was so stunted from having been shaken around. We had another case come through where that shaking behaviour had actually ended up causing huge lacerations.

“I’ve worked in a professional capacity with these birds for a while now, and I haven’t seen anything damage a bird that way, shy of a moving vehicle.”

She said it was heartbreaking to see Kororā that would have otherwise been healthy, had a dog not got to them.

“It’s poor dog ownership. Because it’s as simple as keeping them on a leash in an area that’s known to have penguins or suspected to have them,” Robersto said.

“All of us here at Bird Care feel like we’re screaming into the void because it is such a simple fix and those breeding adults are so vital to the survival of these species.”

Auckland Council Animal Management West team lead Clarke Trethowen said the West Coast Beach Patrol officer had issued seven infringements, three formal warnings, and a high volume of verbal warnings this moulting season.

He said they had received multiple reports of dead penguins, mainly on Piha beach, which appeared to have been attacked by an animal.

“Unfortunately, no evidence has been obtained to identify the dog responsible and allow for a prosecution.”

“The West Coast beaches have a diverse environment where many animals live, breed and visit. It is important that all dog owners are aware of the rules and read the signs before entering the beach to avoid enforcement action and to ensure our beaches can be shared safely by everyone.”

Melissa Mcluskie, from the New Zealand Penguin Initiative, said dog owners nationwide needed to be vigilant.

She said Auckland was not the only place where they were seeing a large number of attacks. They were also happening in Wellington, Kaikoura, Northland, and the Bay of Plenty.

“Penguins are very smelly and attractive to dogs and so they’re easy for dogs to locate. When dogs are off-leash, uncontrolled, or unsupervised, they could be going into penguins’ habitats, killing a bird and then walking away and the owners have no awareness whatsoever what happened.”

She said not all Kororā killed would be found or sent to a rehabilitation centre like BirdCare.

“The ones that are lucky enough to be rescued and go through the rehabilitation process are documented. But not all of those will be examined or sent off for a necropsy. Due to penguins’ dense feather plumage that covers their bodies, it’s not always obvious that they have been attacked or killed by a dog, so they do need to have a proper necropsy examination. And there are a lot of birds that have likely been attacked by dogs that we are unaware of,” Mcluskie said.

“Another issue is sometimes a bird that’s actually still alive may be put in the dunes or under some vegetation. That actually puts it at risk of being attacked by a dog that may go and walk through the dunes.”

As well as reporting attacked penguin sightings, she urged people to be alert for any penguins wandering on the beach during the daytime

.

“Healthy birds will be coming ashore at night time or they will be tucked away safely away in their burrows or nest boxes. So if you’re seeing a bird that’s out on the beach during the day, it’s not normal. It’s likely sick, injured or starving and it needs help.

“There is a number of community groups around the country that monitor their local colonies, and most of them are willing to rescue a bird and get it the right help that it needs.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/a-little-short-of-a-disaster-little-penguins-mauled-by-dogs-at-piha/

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CK Life Sciences Establishes Sequencio Therapeutics to Advance Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines Development

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2026 – CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. (“CK Life Sciences” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 0775) today announced the establishment of Sequencio Therapeutics (“Sequencio”), a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to advancing the Company’s therapeutic cancer vaccine portfolio.

The Third Pillar of a Strategic Reorganisation

This marks the third pillar of a strategic reorganisation, following transactions involving Nasdaq-listed TransCode Therapeutics (“TransCode”, “RNAZ”) and Dogwood Therapeutics (“Dogwood”, “DWTX”) completed in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Collectively, these developments are intended to accelerate R&D, enhance operational execution, and broaden capital access for pharmaceuticals and diagnostics R&D, positioning CK Life Sciences at the forefront of therapeutic cancer vaccine development.

Sequencio – A Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine R&DPlatform

Sequencio Therapeutics has been established to consolidate CK Life Sciences’ therapeutic cancer vaccine research and development portfolio under a dedicated organisation, reflecting the Company’s strategic focus on this emerging class of cancer immunotherapy. The subsidiary is focused on the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines designed to train a patient’s own immune system to achieve durable, long-term remission with a favourable safety profile, addressing key limitations of current standard-of-care therapies. The establishment of Sequencio supports a long-term vision of shifting cancer treatment paradigms from transient tumour reduction toward sustained, immune-controlled remission, with vaccine discovery and design conducted in-house and development advanced through a combination of internal capabilities and external collaborations.

Sequencio’s preclinical portfolio includes the Company’s investigational cancer vaccines targeting Trophoblast Cell Surface Antigen 2 (TROP2), which has demonstrated robust T-cell immune responses and achieved 100% tumour growth inhibition in preclinical breast and colorectal cancer mouse studies. The portfolio also includes vaccine candidates targeting PRAME (Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma), PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1), B7-H3 (B7 homolog 3), and Claudin 6.

Dr Melvin Toh, Chief Scientific Officer: A Significant Milestone in Ongoing Commitment to Transforming Cancer Treatment

“The establishment of Sequencio marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to transforming cancer treatment,” said Dr Melvin Toh, Chief Scientific Officer at CK Life Sciences. “By consolidating our cancer vaccine research under a dedicated entity, we are establishing a focused platform with the agility and expertise required to drive breakthrough science from the laboratory to the clinic, with the aim of delivering potential benefits to patients.”

Over the past two years, CK Life Sciences has undergone a comprehensive restructuring to maximise the potential of its R&D portfolio, with a view to attracting additional funding from investors. In 2025, the Company’s late-stage melanoma vaccine seviprotimut-L was sold to Nasdaq-listed TransCode in exchange for an equity stake in Transcode. Through the integration of seviprotimut-L into TransCode Therapeutics’ pipeline, the potential synergy between vaccine-driven immunity and RNA-based mechanisms presents an opportunity to explore new approaches to addressing treatment resistance and achieving more durable patient responses.

Separately, in 2024, CK Life Sciences completed a transaction with Dogwood Therapeutics, a Nasdaq-listed company focused on developing new medicines for pain and neuropathy, in which CK Life Sciences holds a majority stake. Dogwood is advancing Halneuron® for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, which has demonstrated positive interim Phase 2b results. Dogwood has also secured a global licence to develop an intravenous formulation of SP16 for cancer-related pain.

Both Nasdaq-listed companies are led by experienced scientific and commercial teams, providing greater access to US capital markets and potential strategic partnerships to expedite development. These transactions enable CK Life Sciences’ commercial operations to provide initial and standby funding for its in-house preclinical programmes, now consolidated under Sequencio.

With Sequencio, TransCode and Dogwood, CK Life Sciences now offers an R&D platform with a diversified pipeline of early and late-stage projects targeting substantial unmet medical needs.

Mr Alan Yu, Deputy Chairman: Consider Expanding in an Innovative and Hi-tech Zone like the Northern Metropolis

“By leveraging strategic partnerships, access to public markets, and focused internal development, we are combining the agility of dedicated teams, with the resources needed to advance groundbreaking sciences,” added Mr Alan Yu, Deputy Chairman of CK Life Sciences. “We look forward to delivering these innovative therapies to the patients who need them most. As our R&D projects mature, we may need to consider expanding our R&D facilities in an innovative and hi-tech zone like that of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis.”

Hashtag: #CKLifeSciences #Sequencio #CancerVaccines #R&D #Pharmaceutical #Dogwood #DWTX #TransCode #RNAZ

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/11/ck-life-sciences-establishes-sequencio-therapeutics-to-advance-therapeutic-cancer-vaccines-development/

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Yi Yun Movers Rethinks Operations as Moving Industry Evolves

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2026 – Yi Yun Movers, a moving company in Singapore, is reassessing its operations as competition intensifies across the moving industry. With services often viewed as interchangeable and prices closely compared, operational efficiency, safety, and coordination are becoming key priorities.

Competitive Landscape and Market Pressures

Singapore’s storage and moving industry was valued at USD 59.48 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow steadily, reaching USD 100.16 billion by 2033. As demand expands, operators face rising expectations from customers who want clearer quotations, faster responses, careful handling of belongings, and fewer disruptions during moves. These expectations are evolving faster than the industry’s traditional operating models.

“Customers today are more informed and expect clarity and coordination throughout the moving process,” said Liang, Sales Manager of Yi Yun Movers. “Meeting these expectations requires tighter planning and consistent execution, especially in a highly competitive environment.”

Operational Focus Over Marketing Claims

Within this environment, Yi Yun Movers has focused on strengthening its core operations, particularly in areas such as safe handling, flexible scheduling, and end-to-end service coordination. The mover in Singapore provides residential and commercial moving services, along with storage, disposal, and after-hours relocations. These reflect a shift toward accommodating varied customer timelines and operational needs.

Technology as Operational Support, Not Replacement

The moving industry in Singapore is believed to have relatively low service differentiation, making internal efficiency a critical factor. To address this, some firms are beginning to explore how digital tools can support daily operations. Rather than replacing existing workflows, technology is being considered for practical functions, such as route planning, scheduling coordination, and administrative efficiency.

For Yi Yun Movers, this has meant examining how planning and coordination can be tightened without disrupting established on-the-ground processes. The company has taken a cautious approach, focusing on whether digital tools can reduce manual work and improve scheduling accuracy. At the same time, it keeps experienced crews and established handling practices at the centre of operations.

“We’re careful not to introduce changes that add complexity on the ground,” as revealed by Jovi, Operations Manager of Yi Yun Movers. “Any use of digital tools is meant to support planning and coordination, not replace the practical experience of our crews.”

GPS Software for Route Planning and Fleet Management

One of the key digital tools Yi Yun Movers has incorporated is GPS software. This technology helps the company optimise route planning and fleet management by:

  • Providing real-time traffic data
  • Calculating the most efficient routes
  • Tracking vehicles throughout the process

This integration not only ensures faster service delivery but also improves customer communication regarding timeframes. With GPS software, the moving teams can focus on executing their tasks on the ground.

SME Readiness and Incremental Technology Adoption

This measured approach aligns with broader national discussions around small and medium enterprise (SME) readiness for technology adoption. While large-scale automation remains out of reach for many operators, incremental use of digital tools to support planning and coordination is increasingly viewed as necessary to remain competitive without compromising service reliability.

Yi Yun Movers’ experience reflects this wider SME reality. Rather than pursuing large-scale system changes, the company has focused on incremental adjustments that support administrative efficiency and coordination, recognising that readiness varies across teams and that operational continuity remains critical in a service-led business.

Adapting to Evolving Customer Expectations

As relocation activity continues alongside Singapore’s dynamic property and business landscape, operators are navigating tighter margins and higher service expectations. For Yi Yun Movers, the focus remains on maintaining service consistency, careful handling of items, and adapting operations to meet changing customer needs in a highly competitive moving industry.

Looking Ahead

Continued growth in Singapore’s moving and storage sector is shaping how operators manage cost, coordination, and service reliability. With customer expectations evolving alongside broader economic and property trends, operational discipline and adaptability are likely to remain central to how moving firms compete.

Yi Yun Movers intends to refine internal processes and maintain service standards while responding to industry changes pragmatically. This reflects a wider shift among local service providers toward strengthening operational foundations, as the moving industry adapts to a more demanding and competitive environment.

In addition to enhancing route planning and fleet management with GPS software, Yi Yun Movers is exploring the use of AI-Assisted Customer Relationship Management (CRM). By integrating AI-driven CRM tools, Yi Yun Movers aims to automate customer interactions, personalise communication, and improve service delivery.

With these forward-thinking approaches, the company is positioning itself to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. This enables its teams to effectively address the evolving needs and expectations of Singapore’s moving and storage sector.

Hashtag: #YiYunMovers

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/yi-yun-movers-rethinks-operations-as-moving-industry-evolves/

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Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair: Asia’s Key Trade Event for F&B

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 March 2026 – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be staged concurrently from 13 to 15 August 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fairs serve as a powerful business platform tailored for industry professionals to launch new products, build connections with influential buyers, and discover fresh market opportunities.

The Food Expo PRO open exclusively to trade buyers on the first two days, and welcome public ticket-holders on 15 August. The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be open to both trade buyers and public ticket holders for all three days. The 2025 edition gathered some 18,500 buyers from 64 countries and regions. Buyers are mainly importers, wholesalers, distributors, hotel groups, restaurants, clubhouses, and retail leaders such as department stores, as well as e-tailers. Apart from Hong Kong, buyers came from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, as well as ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others, highlighting Hong Kong’s significant role as a key food trade hub globally.

Reserve a booth now to extend industry network: https://tinyurl.com/57zd6hx9
Register a buyer badge to source quality products: https://tinyurl.com/4nhckk3h

Food Expo PRO: new Meat zone debut

Positioned strategically at the heart of Asia, coupled with its exceptional logistics services and adept supply chain management, Hong Kong serves as a promising platform for global food manufacturers to extend their reach into markets across Chinese Mainland and the broader Asian region. As a renowned culinary capital of Asia, Hong Kong is also home to a thriving food services industry that captivates locals and visitors alike.

Food Expo PRO aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a business hub for the food industry in Chinese Mainland, Asia, and the world. As a pioneer in the F&B industry, the Expo has always kept a close eye on several key trends and innovation in order to capture the evolving dynamics of the food industry.

This year, Food Expo PRO will introduce a new Meat product zone to spotlight the dynamic meat sector and meet rising demand for premium, diverse, and innovative meat offerings. The zone will showcase a wide range of high-quality meat products, including chilled and frozen meats, processed meats, specialty items, and value-added solutions from global and regional suppliers. It aims to connect exhibitors with professional buyers seeking opportunities in premium proteins, sustainable sourcing, and market trends in the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

Recognising the promising landscape of the Halal Market, the Expo introduced a dedicated Halal food and beverage label in 2024, bringing a diverse variety of Halal certified products ranging from snacks, condiments to seafood. In 2025, more than 120 food suppliers showcased halal products from around the world. A seminar will guide through the importance and the progress of promoting halal-friendly environment in Hong Kong. This session will explore the growing demand for halal products and the standard.

Highlighted zone “Food Science and Technology” brings alternative food and future food products to the professional buyers. The Coffee zone, debuted last year, will showcase coffee products, accessories, and machines from various origins. Events such as coffee demonstrations and seminars covering the coffee value chain will also be held concurrently.

Food Expo PRO also features a variety of seminars and forums covering the latest developments and market opportunities in the food industry. The Food Tech Symposium will focus on the latest technological advancements transforming the sector. The discussion will cover how new technologies can enhance efficiency and quality, benefiting both producers and consumers.

Hong Kong International Tea Fair: Brewing opportunities in tea business

The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair is Asia’s premier marketplace for the tea industry, showcasing a variety of high-quality specialty teas, delicate teaware and tea related products. Building on the positive feedback from adopting the B2B2C format in 2025, which attracted over 500,000 visits together with the four concurrent fairs, the 2026 Tea Fair will once again open to the public during the three-day exhibition period, bringing the rich culture of tea to a wider audience.

To capture the evolving trends in the tea industry, the 2025 edition featured a diverse variety of new-style tea beverages such as sparkling tea, Kombucha, non-alcoholic wine-tea concoction beverage, herbal tea and yuenyeung in a capsule. A thematic zone “Friends of Tea” also presented tea-related lifestyle products such as tea-pairing food and tea perfume. The 2026 edition will strengthen the zone to enrich the overall visiting experience of public tea lovers.

Each day at the fair is filled with different activities and events. The 2026Hong Kong International Tea Culture Forum will be organised, with the purpose of creating an international platform for communication, promoting tea culture, and driving the international development of the tea industry. The China and Greater Bay Area KamCha Competition 2026 (Hong Kong Milk Tea) – Hong Kong Final will be held during the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, aiming to select the top Hong Kong-style milk tea masters, showcase the skills and unique flavours of Hong Kong-style milk tea production, and promote Hong Kong-style milk tea culture. Other events, such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Youth International Tea Art Competition 2026, Youth Tea Ceremony, Tea Tasting Sessions and Tea Art Performances, offer an immersive exploration of tea’s rich history and latest trends.

The International Tea Event Space Design Competition 2026continues to promote tea culture. Participants can present their creative tea-serving space designs through the competition, and the shortlisted designs will be displayed and judged during the fair. Another fair highlight is the Hong Kong International Tea Fair Tea Competition. Exhibitors’ teas will be judged in six categories: Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Chinese Black Tea, Raw Pu’er, Others. The entries will also compete for “The Best Aroma Award” and “The Best Taste Award”. Visitors can enjoy free tea tasting of winning teas during the Fair.

The two fairs will continue to adopt the HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ model that integrates online and offline elements, extending face-to-face interactions from physical events to smart business platform, Click2Match, which will be open to participants from 6 to 22 August.

In addition, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA), together with the HKTDC and ten scientific research institutions and industry associations, will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre on 13 and 14 August to deliver professional traditional Chinese medicine insights into the industry.

Websites:


Concurrent public fairs:

Hashtag: #HKTDC #FoodExpoPRO #HongKongInternationalTeaFair

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/food-expo-pro-and-hong-kong-international-tea-fair-asias-key-trade-event-for-fb/

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Awfully Chocolate Launches Annual Sale 2026 featuring First-Time Special Offers

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 MARCH 2026 – Held once a year, the brand’s biggest sale features site wide and store wide privileges across all outlets and online. The Awfully Chocolate 2026 Annual Sale runs online from 23 to 25 March and in stores from 26 to 29 March, offering customers exclusive deals across the brand’s range of products. For the first time, the Original All Chocolate Cake — The Cake that Started It All — will be offered at $35 (U.P. $48), to thank customers who have been part of their journey from the start.

Highlights of the 2026 Annual Sale

The Annual Sale spans across all Awfully Chocolate Singapore outlets, including boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, as well as online at awfullychocolate.com. Everything on sale was made just for the sale, with up to 50% off and phased access for members and the public:

  • Online Annual Sale (23 – 25 March): A dedicated digital window allows customers to shop early at awfullychocolate.com.
  • Annual Sale in Stores (26 – 29 March): The event opens to the public across all platforms, featuring products up to 50% off.
  • Event Wide Promotions: Shoppers can enjoy site wide and store wide discounts, 1-for-1 deals, and complimentary in-store tastings.

Online shoppers can also participate in a “buy more bars, get more rewards” promotion, where chocolate bar purchases can earn prizes such as free air tickets and hotel stays. Additionally, flash deals and surprises will be revealed throughout the Annual Sale in stores and online.

To thank loyal customers, Awfully Chocolate Members enjoy first access with the Members Annual Sale happening from 20 to 22 March. For the first time, all Awfully Chocolate members can shop the Annual Sale at all Awfully Chocolate stores, cafes, and restaurants, plus online over the same three days, with the highest discounts reserved for members.

The public is welcome to sign up for membership at awfullychocolate.com and all Awfully Chocolate stores to enjoy these privileges.

Crafted Luxury for Every Occasion

Celebrating 28 years, Awfully Chocolate has grown from an indie cult brand to a beloved homegrown icon. From gifting boutiques and cafés with flowing chocolate taps to its flagship café and bakery restaurant, the brand continues to redefine what luxury means in Singapore — without shortcuts and always with heart.

Awfully Chocolate would like to thank Singapore for all these years of unwavering support and invite everyone to celebrate together at our 2026 Annual Sale.

For the latest updates and sneak peeks, follow @awfullychocolatesg on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

https://www.awfullychocolate.com/
https://www.facebook.com/awfullychocolate.sg/
https://www.instagram.com/awfullychocolatesg/

Hashtag: #AwfullyChocolate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/awfully-chocolate-launches-annual-sale-2026-featuring-first-time-special-offers/

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Tsunami warnings when you need them, where you need them: NEMA and MetService join forces

Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

 

When a tsunami could be on the way, warnings need to reach as many people as possible. A new initiative from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and MetService will ensure more New Zealanders are informed the moment a warning is issued.

MetService.com will now display an automated tsunami warning banner whenever NEMA issues a tsunami warning or advisory.

“Tsunami warnings only work if people see them and act on them, and we’re pleased to be working with MetService to keep people safe,” says John Price, Director Civil Defence Emergency Management at NEMA.

“This will bring together NEMA and MetService’s large audiences, so New Zealanders are more likely to get the information they need, when they need it.”

This isn’t the first time NEMA and MetService have teamed up to help keep New Zealanders safe. In October 2025 the agencies partnered with digital out-of-home providers to automatically display MetService Orange and Red Severe Weather Warnings on billboards in affected areas.

“MetService’s purpose is to make weather intelligence easily accessible so New Zealanders can make informed decisions and stay safe,” said Kathryn Blackmore, Sales Manager at MetService.

“Working with NEMA allows us to support public safety in a way that goes beyond weather services.”

NEMA is now exploring how automated tsunami messaging could be shared on other government websites, helping ensure more people see these crucial warnings as soon as they take effect.

To learn more about what to do when a tsunami warning is issued, visit getready.govt.nz/emergency/tsunami

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/tsunami-warnings-when-you-need-them-where-you-need-them-nema-and-metservice-join-forces/

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Jevon McSkimming asked to pay back taxpayer-funded hotel nights with Ms Z

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jevon McSkimming was sentenced in December to nine months of home detention. RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers asked disgraced former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming for a “swift reimbursement” of funds used to pay for up to 10 stays at hotels in Wellington during an affair.

Chambers wrote to McSkimming last week after the Independent Police Conduct Authority released a summary of its investigation into McSkimming’s decision to invite a woman he was having an affair with – Ms Z – to stay with him in hotel accommodation paid for by police, on numerous occasions, primarily in 2016.

In the letter, obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act, Chambers referred to the IPCA’s report in relation to his “overnight status in Wellington hotels with Ms Z”.

“You have confirmed that 8-10 times you stayed with Ms Z in Wellington hotels at the expense of police, but ultimately the taxpayer. The IPCA made an adverse finding in this respect.

“It is appropriate for you to reimburse police for these 8-10 hotel stays, and you are asked to reimburse police as soon as possible. You have knowledge of the hotels in which you stayed and the approximate cost at the time.”

Chambers said he welcomed McSkimming’s response and “swift reimbursement”.

The IPCA said its investigation was “impaired by a lack of records of travel expenditure and credit card statements from the time, due to the nine to 10 years that has elapsed since the spending occurred”.

The IPCA had not been able to review McSkimming’s credit card expenditure, and relied on the evidence of the complainant, McSkimming, his former executive assistant and one of his supervisors at the time.

“In 2016 and 2017, Mr McSkimming’s workplace was at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. He lived about 60-70kms away.”

McSkimming and his executive assistant at the time told the IPCA that he was regularly required to attend functions or late meetings in Wellington or catch early morning flights.

“On those occasions, his executive assistant would book accommodation at a Wellington hotel, paid for by police. The rationale for these bookings was explained to us as being to avoid a long drive home after a work event, or where he was required to attend a social function to ensure he was not having a drink and then driving.”

McSkimming told the IPCA he thought Ms Z stayed with him eight to 10 times.

“This is corroborated by Ms Z. Mr McSkimming breached policy by not informing his senior manager approving the travel that she would be staying with him. If he had done so, we consider it highly likely that approval would have been declined.

“In any case, whether or not he informed his manager, he breached the Police Code of Conduct by staying in hotels at Police expense and inviting the woman with whom he was having a sexual relationship to join him. If he had paid for the hotels himself, that would have been a different matter. However, the fact that the hotels were paid for by police gives rise to the perception that he was using taxpayer money to further a clandestine affair, thus bringing police into disrepute.”

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Chambers earlier said he was “very concerned” to learn of McSkimming’s use of hotels in Wellington and agreed with the findings of the IPCA.

“This showed a disregard for taxpayers’ money and Police expenditure policy.”

Chambers said the police policy for sensitive expenditure required spending to be reasonable and able to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny.

Mitchell earlier said he welcomed the IPCA report and its findings, which showed the investigations conducted by police were appropriate and adequate.

“Any misuse of taxpayer money is, under all circumstances, unacceptable. I support the Commissioner in his efforts to recoup these expenses,” Mitchell said.

“It is my view that unless there are exceptional work-related circumstances, staff should not require hotel accommodation in the same centre as their normal place of work.”

McSkimming’s expenses

RNZ earlier requested a copy of all expenses made by McSkimming covering the time of his affair.

Police responded with a screenshot of an expenses claim from 2017 and credit card statements for McSkimming covering the 2018 calendar year.

“New Zealand banks retain credit card statements for seven years, after which records are no longer available. No additional expenses have been identified beyond those attached, and credit card records for 2016 and 2017 are no longer held as they fall outside the seven-year timeframe. Therefore, any additional credit card statements are unavailable, and police have no reason to believe these records are held by any other agency.”

McSkimming’s work credit card had a $2000 limit. The 2018 credit card statements reveal he spent some time in Canada and the United States early in the year.

On 6 April, McSkimming stayed at the Thorndon Hotel, about a five-minute walk from Police National Headquarters. The accommodation cost $121.

A significant number of expenses relate to purchases at Wellington International Airport.

In November 2018, there were some expenses at SkyCity Hotel in Auckland and a $229 payment for Audioblocks, as well as an $80 excess baggage payment in Wellington. There was also an $80 transaction at Queenstown Airport.

He also spent $112 at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown.

In December, there was a $147 payment at Wellington International Airport, followed by a $98 payment later that month.

RNZ asked Richard Chambers for comment on the expenses detailed in the OIA.

“This happened a number of years ago and without detailed records of the reasons for this expenditure, I cannot say whether it was appropriate,” he said.

“However, these expenses would have been considered against the travel policy at the time and were approved by a supervisor.”

Chambers said it was appropriate for police policy to provide for reasonable expenses for executive travel.

“Those expenses can include the use of hotels, parking, petrol and transport such as taxis. Such expenses should only be for work-related purposes, reasonable, and able to withstand public scrutiny.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/jevon-mcskimming-asked-to-pay-back-taxpayer-funded-hotel-nights-with-ms-z/

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National Party politicians rule out leadership bid

Source: Radio New Zealand

Education Minister Erica Stanford has often been tipped as a possible leadership contender. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Education Minister Erica Stanford has been damning in her assessment of last week’s disastrous poll result for National, calling it a “bad week” for the party and for the caucus.

Speculation has been swirling about Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s leadership after the Taxpayers’ Union Curia Poll result put National on 28.4 per cent – the party’s lowest result since Luxon became leader.

Asked on Tuesday whether she was happy with the result, Stanford – often tipped as a possible leadership contender – said: “No, of course not”.

“We’ve got to do a lot better as a party, all of us pull together, we’ve got to respect what voters are telling us,” she said.

In addition to the horror poll, Luxon also struggled to articulate the government’s position on the Iran conflict and flubbed his answers to questions on the same topic at his post-Cabinet press conference last week.

Asked whether it was a bad week for the prime minister, Stanford said the result reflected poorly on the party.

“I would say it’s a bad week for the National Party and our caucus, and we’ve got to do better all of us together, pull together and remember that our focus is on the New Zealand people, and in my case, raising student achievement,” Stanford said.

Any speculation she was vying for the top job was “reporters interviewing their own typewriters”, Stanford said, adding that she supported the prime minister “100 percent”.

On Tuesday afternoon, Stanford ruled out making any bids for the leadership.

“We have a leader, he’s doing a really good job, and I am part of a high-performing team just doing my job, reforming the education system.”

In a busy day in Parliament – when the Covid-19 inquiry report was released, National MP and Minister Shane Reti announced his retirement, and MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was reinstated to Te Pāti Māori by the High Court – National Party ministers and backbenchers were resolute in their support of the prime minister.

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said he had “no intentions” to run for the top job. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said he backed Luxon and looked forward to the coming election campaign.

Asked whether he wanted to be the leader, he repeatedly said he had “no intentions” to run for the top job but also refused to rule out a future bid.

“It’s got nothing to do with me… I’m not here to answer questions about me running for the leadership, because, as you know, I support the prime minister.”

Tim Costley, MP for Ōtaki, said that asking Luxon to step down, should his polling worsen, had never crossed his mind.

“We’ve got a strong caucus. We’ve got 49. We’re looking great.”

Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink said she was not concerned about her seat, which was one of the most marginal at the last election.

“I’m not worried about my job. I’m not worried about my seat. I’m worried about the country if we have an alternative government.”

Takinini MP Rima Nakhle put her level of support for the prime minister at “123 percent”, while Upper Harbour MP Cameron Brewer said the caucus was unified.

“We respect the guy, we’re tight, we’re disciplined, and you can see that with all our answers in the last 72 hours. You know, we actually just want to get on with the job.”

The prime minister himself continued to brush off concerns about the poll, telling reporters on Tuesday that the party’s caucus meeting would feature normal business, adding the team was “really united, really focused, really driven”.

But Labour leader Chris Hipkins blasted National for getting itself into “one heck of a mess”.

“They promised they were going to fix the economy, they’ve shrunk it. They promised they were going to get Kiwis into work, more Kiwis are unemployed now. They promised they were going to fix government debt, government debt’s gone up. They promised they were going to fix the cost of living, the cost of living’s got harder for New Zealand households.

“Whether it’s Christopher Luxon or one of the other ministers who was involved in all of those decisions leading the National Party, the problem is they haven’t done what they said they were going to do.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/national-party-politicians-rule-out-leadership-bid/

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Move-on orders ‘not welcome here’, Wellington leaders say

Source: Radio New Zealand

The move-on powers announced in February will mean police can move on rough sleepers or people displaying disorderly behaviour as young as 14-years-old. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The Wellington region’s mayors, as well as iwi, church and social support agency leaders, say the government’s proposed move-on orders are not welcome in the region.

An open letter decrying the introduction of powers to enable police to relocate people from certain areas – under threat of fines or imprisonment – has been sent to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

But Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the letter was “overly simplistic” and its signatories were “ignoring the facts”.

The letter – signed by 21 Wellington leaders – described the initiative as a “superficial and unhelpful” approach.

“Whilst we accept and understand that anti-social behaviour on the part of some must be able to be responded to, we don’t consider that moving a person to some other unspecified place fixes the problem, nor does anything to address the issues that individual is dealing with, and in fact, potentially causes significant harm,” the signatories wrote.

Breaching a move-on order – which would require someone to leave an area for up to 24 hours – risked a fine of up to $2000 or a three month jail term.

Community leaders ‘united’ in opposition – Mayor Andrew Little

Wellington City Mayor, Andrew Little, said it was important to show the government that leadership in the region was united in opposition to the legislation.

“What we’re all trying to do is just emphasise to the government that – if they’re serious about dealing with the issue – we actually need to be focussed on what the underlying solutions are. Not cosmetic measures that shift the problem to somewhere else,” Little said.

Little said he understood community and business concerns over rough sleeping and antisocial behaviour – but the initiative failed to offer any real solution to the problem.

“[The signatories] are all organisations that [have] people in the front-line dealing with the homelessness and rough sleeper issue and they don’t take their roles and responsibilities lightly. We know it causes concern to a lot of people – including people whose lives and business are disrupted by it. But the move on order – as a response to it – simply is not a solution,” Little said.

Legislation sends the wrong message to vulnerable people

Porirua mayor Anita Baker said the “vast majority” of people who found themselves on the streets we’re struggling with complex issues including mental health challenges, drug dependancy and a lack of appropriate services and housing options.

Baker said the legislation risked sending the wrong message to already disadvantaged people.

“It’s sending an indication to these people that we don’t really care. A $2000 fine, how are they even going to pay that? They can’t afford to be in a house so I think it is unhelpful.

We need more mental health services, we need more houses, how about providing those?” Baker said.

She said the legislation offered nothing to organisations already working to improve the circumstances of people living rough.

“Across the Wellington region there is already a strong collaborative approach between councils, police, health providers, housing organisations, iwi and NGOs.

“The focus is on outreach, connecting people to services, and creating pathways into stable housing. That work recognises that homelessness and related behaviour are usually the visible end of much deeper issues. Our priority will continue to be solutions that address those causes rather than measures that simply push the problem somewhere else,” Baker said.

Letter ‘overly simplistic’ – Paul Goldsmith

Goldsmith responded to requests for comment sent to Luxon.

He said the letter was “overly simplistic” and it’s signatories were “actively choosing to ignore the facts”.

“Only people who refuse those orders, will face prosecution. A move-on order, is not a criminal charge.

“This is about reclaiming our streets and our city centres for the enjoyment of everybody who visits, works and lives there” Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith said police had “the expertise to connect people with the support services they may require”.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Goldsmith said.

A protest against the move-on orders by people living and working in Auckland’s central city. Supplied

Police ‘overworked as it is’

Police Association head Steve Watt said police on the beat were “overworked as it is” did not have the resources to deal with the issues that led to people sleeping on the streets.

“The vast majority of people that are out on the street suffer from mental health issues, financial issues, anxiety issues. They’re all issues that really need to have specialist capability wrapped around them as opposed to police picking them up off the street and moving them along,” Watt said.

Watt said some members did welcome the additional powers but he felt the tools to deal with criminal behaviour on the streets were already available to police.

“There is legislation in place in order to deal with people that are on our streets, acting disorderly, being threatening towards members of the public or being offensive.

“We have powers under the Summary Offences Act in which we can deal with this. So what we’re talking about here is non-criminal activity and basically having an order to ship that problem down the street,” Watt said.

Legislation ‘another layer of mistreatment’

CEO of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Helmut Modlik said the legislation would add “another layer of mistreatment” into already difficult lives.

“Moving somebody from one spot to an undisclosed second spot without any substantive response to the reason why they were there in the first place is – by my definition – ‘superficial’.

“We don’t want want anything that just adds another layer of mistreatment, or ignoring or unhelpfulness into the lives of these people whose lives are full of all of that,” Modlik said.

He said the legislation was far removed from what he understood to be the values of New Zealanders.

“Nobody likes to see extreme examples of homeless people making a nuisance of themselves. But if people take just a few minutes just to actually understand what’s going on for those poor souls – why they’re there and what’s going on – then a very different response is what follows.

“That should guide us. That should guide our public policy, that should guide our investable activity in this domain. Not a nod to a narrow spectrum of interests and a superficial response. Which is what it is.

“There’s nothing about it that aligns with my understanding of what kind of people we are here in Aotearoa,” Modlik said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/move-on-orders-not-welcome-here-wellington-leaders-say/

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Health Committee inquiry will help inform aged care service improvements

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report following its inquiry into aged care support services for people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders. The formal response to the inquiry was tabled in Parliament today.

The inquiry was a commitment in the New Zealand First-National coalition agreement.

“New Zealand has very good aged care, but there are challenges in the system that are well-understood, and need to be addressed” Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says.

“This report makes a valuable contribution to the work underway to strengthen services.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that people needing aged care, including those with neurological cognitive disorders are supported and able to access the right services, in the right place and at the right time”

The Health Committee launched its inquiry into neurological cognitive disorders, like dementia, in 2024.  It received more than 100 submissions and visited several aged care facilities and service providers across the country.

The Committee’s report made 14 recommendations on improving support for people with neurological cognitive disorders. These relate to access to aged residential care, home and community support services, carers and the aged care workforce.

The Government’s formal response to the inquiry notes all the recommendations.

“Many of the report’s recommendations will be considered through the work already underway on aged care, including through the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group,” Ms Costello says.

The Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group was established last year to provide independent recommendations to Ministers on the sustainability and future direction of the aged care system.

It is expected to provide advice and recommendations to Ministers by mid-2026 and will consider the Health Committee’s report as part of this work. 

“The Government thanks the Health Committee and all submitters for their contributions, which will inform the wider aged care work programme,” Ms Costello says. 

“We are committed to ensuring older people, including those with neurological cognitive disorders, can access timely, high-quality services that support them to live and age well.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/health-committee-inquiry-will-help-inform-aged-care-service-improvements/

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COVID-19 Inquiry released

Source: New Zealand Government

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 has been released today, delivering an independent account of the pandemic response and its lasting impact on New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“New Zealanders lived through one of the most significant global public health and economic events. They made real sacrifices, and this report is an important step in understanding the impact of the decisions that were made and how we can learn from them,” Mr Brown says.

Key findings from the Royal Commission include:

  • Restrictions were initially balanced, then went too far: COVID-19 restrictions were initially balanced and appropriate but extended beyond what public health advice recommended as the response continued.
  • Economic warnings were not heeded: Treasury advised from the outset that pandemic spending should be timely, temporary, and targeted. The $60 billion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund spanned 821 programmes, around half of which were unrelated to the pandemic. The Commission found that many investments, including shovel-ready projects, did not meet those tests. The spending that followed drove up house prices and the cost of living for New Zealanders.
  • Public debt has left New Zealand exposed: The Royal Commission has made it clear that the debt accumulated during the pandemic has left New Zealand with less flexibility to respond to future economic shocks, and that prudent fiscal management is required to rebuild those economic buffers.
  • Opportunities to do better were missed: Many opportunities to improve economic decision-making were missed throughout the response, with high-level data failing to capture what was happening on the ground for ordinary New Zealanders.
  • Auckland’s lockdown went longer than advice recommended: Auckland was kept in lockdown and separated from the rest of the country for longer than what officials advised was necessary. A former Minister has since acknowledged that the public health benefits of lockdowns did not emphatically outweigh the costs by the end of 2021, despite Auckland and parts of Northland and Waikato being kept in lockdown.
  • Vaccine mandate advice for under-18s was not made sufficiently clear: Former Ministers were informed of advice against applying a two-dose vaccine mandates to 12-17 year olds due to myocarditis risks. The two-dose vaccine mandate remained, which did not align with this advice.

“New Zealanders supported the initial 2020 response. Communities came together and made sacrifices, and it protected New Zealanders’ lives. But the Commission has also found that restrictions continued longer than public health advice recommended, and that the economic costs were not given sufficient weight alongside the health response.

“New Zealanders remember what that period felt like – not being able to visit loved ones in hospital, struggling to get home from overseas, and keeping children home from school for months.

“Aucklanders experienced this more than most, spending more than six months in lockdown, the longest lockdown of any region in the country, separated from family and missing some of life’s most important moments.

“The report also found that the cost of living pressures New Zealanders are still feeling today – and the ongoing lack of social cohesion for some – are part of that story.

“New Zealanders made enormous sacrifices and placed enormous trust in their government. We owe it to them to understand what happened and learn from it.”

The Government is carefully reviewing the Commission’s findings and expects to outline its response to the recommendations by July, ensuring any future decisions balance the health and economic needs of all New Zealanders.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/covid-19-inquiry-released/

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ANZCO working to get shipment of beef destined for Middle East back to New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

File image. 123RF

Meat company ANZCO is working to get shipments of beef caught up in the Middle East conflict back to New Zealand to sell on the domestic market.

General manager of sales and marketing Rick Walker said shipments of premium beef cuts that were on the way to Dubai have been parked by shipping companies in various ports.

“We only had a handful of containers on route to Dubai so our exposure is very small compared to some other meat companies but we are now in the process of figuring out what the best alternative is for those containers is – whether we bring them home or we find another market for them.

“It depends on the product and what its end use was going to be, but a lot of it will come back to New Zealand.”

Walker said some of the beef has specific Arabic labelling which would make it difficult to transfer it into other markets.

“So it’s probably easier to bring it back to New Zealand, we can find homes for it here in the domestic market. There’s good demand here, so that’s probably the easiest answer for us at the moment.”

Walker said the containers are chilled so the meat has a shelf life of about 120 days.

“It’s important to remember we are only a week into dealing with this – so we do have time but at the same time we are not going to wait, we want to make decisions pretty quickly.”

So with shipments of meat bound for the Middle East possibly returning to New Zealand – could consumers be in for cheaper cuts? Walker doesn’t think so.

“I think that’s a big step to take, it will depend again on what cuts are coming back, are they chilled? Are they frozen? Every company will then have to make its decision on frozen product. Do you bring it back into inventory and then make a decision what to do with it from there in terms of other export opportunities?

“So in theory, more supply in New Zealand provides the opportunity for lower prices, but it’s hard to see that really playing out at any level that’s going to be material in the short term, particularly when we’ve got very tight livestock numbers here in New Zealand at the moment and very high livestock prices.”

Walker said demand for red meat around the world is high – so going forward any product that would have gone to the Middle East can go to other markets like the US and Asia.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/anzco-working-to-get-shipment-of-beef-destined-for-middle-east-back-to-new-zealand/

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Choice, control and certainty through flexible funding

Source: New Zealand Government

Disabled people will have more choice over how they use their flexible funding from April, while keeping the same level of support they receive today, Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says. 

“Our Government committed to restoring flexibility, choice and control in a way that was sustainable,” Louise Upston says. 

“The steps we have taken since 2024 to stabilise the disability support system have been successful. Because of this, we can now confirm two things: the current purchasing rules will be removed in April, and people’s flexible funding allocations will stay exactly the same as they are now.

“This means we no longer need to look at what people spent in previous years to set new budgets. 

“People will also get more support, guidance or coaching to manage their flexible funding – in a way that reflects their situation. 

“Flexible funding must still be spent in line with people’s plans, a few things will need pre-approval, and people must stay within their allocated budgets. However, they’ll have more choice and control over the supports that work for them, including respite options for carers. 

“These changes reflect feedback from the disability community last year, and the recommendations of the 2024 Independent Review. 

“In 2024, some difficult decisions were made to limit rapidly rising costs. The 2024 Independent Review found disability support services had unsustainable spending increases, unclear criteria for access to flexible funding, and an unfair postcode lottery for disabled people around the country. 

“Since then, we have made real progress in stabilising services.  

“DSS has strengthened financial controls, budgets and oversight for NASCs, Enabling Good Lives sites and equipment providers, fixed longstanding issues with residential care pricing, and improved the way people’s needs are assessed and funding for supports is allocated. 

“Our Government also provided significant new funding in Budget 2025, with $1 billion to manage demand and inflation pressures. 

“These steps mean the system is financially stable, sustainable, more consistent and easier to use. We can now restore flexibility and choice without creating uncertainty. Disabled people can be confident their support will continue.” 

Editors Notes

From 1 April 2026: 

Flexible funding budgets will stay at each person’s current allocation level.
The purchasing rules will be removed.
Flexible funding must still be spent in line with people’s funding plans, but people will have more choice about what works for them.
People still need to keep their spending within their allocated budgets.
Flexible funding still cannot be used for prohibited items such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling.
A small number of purchases will need pre-approval. For example, international travel or high-cost purchases, or certain kinds of equipment where safety and health need to be considered. 
Hosts will support, guide or coach people to plan and manage their budgets. They will be talking to people about the support they need from April onwards. The level of support people get depends on their situation.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/choice-control-and-certainty-through-flexible-funding/

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Government may offer asylum to Iranian female football players, Seymour says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Iranian players saluting for the national anthem after being reprimanded for not singing in an earlier match. AFP

The New Zealand government may offer asylum to Iranian female football players in Australia who are likely to face persecution if they return to their home country.

The ABC reported that five players are currently being protected by police in Queensland after evading their team handlers at their Gold Coast accommodation.

The players, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi, refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match with South Korea at the Women’s Asian Cup earlier this month, the ABC said.

It said fears that the players would be targeted by the Iranian regime when they returned home have grown after Iranian state TV labelled them as “traitors,” the ABC said.

US President Donald Trump has urged Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant the whole team asylum.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said: “Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour. RNZ / Mark Papalii

On First Up, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour was asked if Australia should grant the players asylum – or if New Zealand should offer it.

Seymour said the Australian government had to make that decision based on law and it didn’t help “for their cousins across the ditch to start lobbying advice at them”.

But Seymour said it was a humanitarian question.

“Any sort-of lay person would sit there and say ‘do they have a well-founded fear of persecution of they return to their home country?’ I think the common sense answer is that they do.

“Would a country like Australia, or New Zealand for that matter, want to help people in that situation? I think the answer is we would, so let’s let the Australian government work through that question according to law as they have to.

“But I think any person looking at it would come to a pretty obvious answer in their heart and mind.”

Seymour said New Zealand has done something similar for refugees/aslyum seekers in the past.

“Perhaps the New Zealand government will do something like that today.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/government-may-offer-asylum-to-iranian-female-football-players-seymour-says/